How to Catch the Elusive Galarian Birds in Pokémon Shield
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Catching the Galarian Legendary Birds – Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres – in Pokémon Shield is a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience. These aren’t your typical Pokémon encounters; they’re rare, have high flee rates, and require a specific strategy. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to track them down and add them to your team.
The Initial Encounter: Dyna Tree Hill
Your journey to catch the Galarian birds begins in the Crown Tundra, the DLC area in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Head to Dyna Tree Hill, specifically the area south of the Giant’s Bed, where you’ll find a large, glowing tree. As you approach, the three Galarian birds will appear, engaging in a brief squabble before noticing you. This confrontation triggers their departure, scattering them across the Crown Tundra map, and this initiates the real hunt.
Post-Encounter: The Hunt Begins
After their initial appearance at Dyna Tree Hill, each bird will fly off to a separate location. You will need to search the vast expanses of the Crown Tundra to find them again. Here’s what to expect for each one:
- Galarian Articuno: This Psychic/Flying type will settle in the Crown Tundra. Articuno will create illusions of itself and you’ll need to track the real one by its wing movement.
- Galarian Zapdos: The Fighting/Flying type is found wandering around the Wild Area. Unlike its regular form, this Zapdos is flightless, meaning you’ll need to pursue it on foot, or bike.
- Galarian Moltres: This Dark/Flying type prefers the Isle of Armor area. Moltres will circle in the air and is generally easier to locate than the other two.
Strategies for Catching Each Bird
While all three birds share a reputation for being hard to catch, each requires a slightly different approach. Here’s how to maximize your chances.
Catching Galarian Articuno
Articuno’s encounter is the most unique. It creates three illusions of itself, and you must choose the correct one. You will know it is the correct one because its wings will continue to move for a moment before they all start to spin, the other two illusions will not. If you pick the wrong one, the real Articuno will fly away and you will need to find it again. Here are some tips:
- Patience is key: Do not rush your selection. Pay attention to the wing animation of each one.
- Avoid Hail: Encounters during hail make it harder, as the hail will reduce Articuno’s HP.
- Berries help: Use Razz Berries or Golden Razz Berries to make it easier to catch. If you’re having trouble landing throws, a Nanab Berry can calm it, making its movement more predictable.
- Lower its health: Use False Swipe to leave it at 1 HP without knocking it out. Inflict a Status Condition like sleep or paralysis as well to further enhance your catch chances.
- Use Ultra Balls: You have a better chance to catch it using Ultra Balls over regular Poke Balls.
Catching Galarian Zapdos
Zapdos is a fast-moving target that doesn’t fly, instead, it will wander around the Wild Area. Here’s how to catch it:
- Track its movements: Be prepared to chase after it, using your bike can be helpful.
- Lower its health: Lowering the HP is crucial. Again, using False Swipe is a good idea.
- Status conditions: Use a Pokémon that can inflict status conditions like paralysis or sleep.
- Ultra Balls and Razz Berries: Use Ultra Balls with Razz or Golden Razz berries to increase your chances of capture.
- Be patient: Its catch rate is incredibly low so you may need to try more than once.
Catching Galarian Moltres
Moltres is found in the Isle of Armor, where it circles in the air. Here’s a guide:
- Use the proper balls: Great Balls or Ultra Balls are best for this encounter.
- Razz Berries: Use Razz Berries to increase the catch rate.
- Hit Excellent Throws: Practice making excellent throws by hitting the target ring when it’s the smallest.
- Curveballs: Add a curve to your throws to improve your catch rate.
- Persevere: It may take many attempts to capture it so be patient.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are the Galarian birds so hard to catch?
These legendary Pokémon have a very low catch rate and a high flee rate making it very challenging to catch.
2. What is the base catch rate for the Galarian birds?
The base catch rate is around 0.3%, and they have a flee rate of 90%, making them some of the most difficult Pokémon to catch in the game.
3. Can the Galarian birds be shiny?
While each bird has a shiny version, they are currently shiny locked in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
4. What type of Pokémon should I bring when trying to catch them?
Bring a Pokémon that knows False Swipe to lower their HP to 1 without knocking them out, and a Pokémon that can inflict status conditions like sleep or paralysis.
5. Does the Master Ball guarantee a catch?
Yes, the Master Ball will guarantee a catch. If you have one it is highly recommended to save it for one of the Galarian Birds.
6. Can you catch a Galarian bird without a Master Ball?
Yes, it is possible to catch a Galarian bird without a Master Ball. Combining Ultra Balls, Golden Razz Berries, and applying status conditions greatly increases your odds, but it might take many tries.
7. What are the best berries to use?
Razz Berries increase the catch rate, Golden Razz Berries increase it even more, and Nanab Berries calm the Pokemon and make them easier to hit.
8. Which is the best Galarian bird?
Galarian Zapdos is often considered the best of the three due to its speed and powerful Fighting-type attacks.
9. How do I tell if I’ve chosen the real Articuno?
The real Articuno’s wings will move for a second before they start to spin, so pay close attention to their wings.
10. Can Galarian Zapdos fly?
Although it is a Flying type, Galarian Zapdos cannot fly.
11. Where can I find Galarian Moltres?
Galarian Moltres can be found roaming the skies of the Isle of Armor.
12. What is Galarian Zapdos’ signature move?
Galarian Zapdos’ signature move is Thunderous Kick, a physical Fighting-type move that lowers the target’s Defense stat.
13. Is it necessary to throw Poké Balls to the side to improve the catch rate?
Some players have reported that throwing a number of balls off to the side of the field might improve the catch rate, but this is not confirmed, it may just be a form of superstition.
14. How many Ultra Balls will it take to catch a Galarian Bird?
This varies widely, some players have caught them in one ball and some have taken 50 or more to catch them. It will depend on your skill and luck.
15. What happens if a Galarian Bird flees?
If a Galarian Bird flees, you will need to find it again in its respective area. They will continue to spawn in the overworld so just keep exploring until you find it again.
Conclusion
Catching the Galarian Birds in Pokémon Shield is a true test of skill and patience. By preparing well, using the right berries and balls, and being persistent you will be able to add these rare and powerful Pokémon to your team. Good luck, and happy hunting!